Tuesday, 16 December 2014

The Department of
Telecom is working on a website that will show real-time data of radiation
being emitted from each mobile tower in the country and its exposure to people,
a senior official said here.

"We are
working on a web portal so that a person can see how much radiation he is
exposed to," DoT Member (Technology) A K Bhargava said while speaking at
an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) event.

The Department has
started working with industry body Cellular Operators Association of India to
develop the portal.

"It is in
early stage and yet to see proof of concept for this project. Idea is that a
person should be able see in real-time how much radiation a mobile tower in his
proximity is emitting.

UN body ITU also
launched its first mobile application on cellular radiation to answer all
queries and concerns of people.They are launching a new product in this area, a
mobile application providing an 'EMF Guide'.

"It offers an
introduction to EMFs and their relationship with health, as well as various
internationally agreed guidelines and standards designed to ensure safety in
the use of mobile phones and other wireless technologies.

The government has an
ambitious target to spread broadband and mobile telephony and for this it is
important to address concerns among public about mobile radiation.

India allows only
10 per cent of radiation level to be emitted from mobile towers as compared to
international norms preferred in most of the countries.DoT has decided to conduct an
awareness campaign to remove perception of health hazard from mobile tower
radiation as there is no scientific evidence to prove any ill-effect on health
at levels permitted globally.

A World Health
Organization study in 2011 had pointed out that there are possible health risks
associated with electromagnetic fields which need to be properly considered and
reported during the roll-out of mobile-wireless technologies if the
electromagnetic radiations are beyond certain limits.Following protest
from civil groups, India has reduced permissible level of radiation from mobile
towers by 90 per cent as compared to radiation norms released by global body
The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).